Shapiro says he’d back open primaries – Bucks Round-Up – May 21, 2026
Shapiro says he’d back open primaries
Governor Josh Shapiro says he’s not opposed to open primaries. Shapiro, seeking a second term, indicated he’d sign legislation to open Pennsylvania nomination contests as he left his polling place in Rydal, Montgomery County yesterday morning speaking to The Center Square. In Pennsylvania, only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for candidates running in their respective parties’ primaries and Pennsylvania is only one of eight states nationwide to have closed primaries. A majority of voters in the state are registered with a major party. According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, there are 3,833,543 registered Democrats and 3,641,157 registered Republicans, yet the fastest-growing voting bloc in the Keystone State is independent voters; there were 1,480,158 of them, as of Monday. Some lawmakers want to let them participate in nomination elections, but legislation to that effect has yet to reach Shapiro’s desk. The issue of open or closed primaries came up in the weeks before the primary in Bucks County, with County Commissioner Bob Harvie, now the Democratic nominee for Congress, favoring closed primaries, and his primary opponent Lucia Simonelli, and his general-election opponent, Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, both backing open primaries.
Washington Crossing Historic Park plans a blockbuster America250 celebration
Friends of Washington Crossing Park have launched a fundraising effort to support a free community-wide celebration of America250. The event is intended to create a meaningful space for residents and visitors to commemorate the historic milestone year close to home at Washington Crossing Historic Park. Plans are developing now for family-friendly activities, living-history experiences, live music, fireworks over the Delaware River, and the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence. Everything takes place from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, July 4 at the historic park. The Friends of Washington Crossing have a fundraising drive to reach a $75,000 goal with a challenge for the public to contribute. The Gene and Marlene Epstein Foundation has pledged to match all donations up to $10,000 by June 4, doubling the impact of every contribution.
Pedestrians crossing Wrightstown Road want a simple crosswalk
It’s more complicated than you may think. Wrightstown residents living in the Jane Chapman East and Jane Chapman West developments are asking township supervisors for a pedestrian crosswalk between their communities on Wrightstown Road. Wrightstown supervisors have voiced concern that pedestrians are crossing Wrightstown Road between the developments, but drivers are not slowing down. A possible complication of the project is the approval needed from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for road work. Any marking on Wrightstown Road would require approval from PennDOT. Since there are no sidewalks on either side of the road, the township is consulting with its engineer on options, costs, and possible grants. The cost of a pedestrian crosswalk was estimated at $7,200 prior to any question of PennDOT requirements. The supervisors now are waiting for more information and expect to report to the community in the coming weeks.
Pat Wandling is a veteran journalist, formerly of The Bucks County Courier, and was a mainstay on WBCB for over 20 years.
